It is my view we do need such an independent FBI like entity with the power to investigate and prosecute any one, unlike the NSW one, long ago bent and twisted by both sides to fit their needs we should have one like the NSW one was at its foundation,few may remember the founder of that one, fell because of charges made against him and NSW lost him a good leader, he was found after to have done nothing wrong, if we had such a group its first long list of offenders could be politicians, that may be the reason we will never get one

Do we need something yes, but the FBI model is no good as has been proven by the leaders and there aligning to the Clinton's to not work in the interests of the people.

When Politicians are involved in any way it would go to crap.

I would prefer the swamp drained than an ICAC. Start with the abc.

Whatever it will be needs NO politicians involved.

Even royal commissions are useless because politicians set the terms of reference that it can investigate.

Anything that could effect them they would just as being not part of any investigation.

Dear Belly,

You ask - "Do we need a National ICAC?"

Yes. Definitely!

We're told on the web that -

"The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) was
set up in 1988 as an independent organisation to protect
the public interest, prevent breaches of public trust and guide
the conduct of public officials in the NSW public sector."

However, ICAC cannot investigate matters relating to the
public sector of other states or the Australian Public
Service where there's no connection to the NSW public sector
or NSW Public Officials.

It's work is only dealing with the NSW public service.
So it's job is limited only to that state. Plus it can't
investigate allegations of corruption in the private
sector of NSW where there's no connection to the NSW
Public Sector or NSW Public Officials.

It also can't even decide to prosecute those involved
in corruption. Recommendations to prosecute are made by
ICAC to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

So, Yes - we do need an Independent National Commission
Against Corruption - because the NSW ICAC's powers are
limited.

Hi there BELLY old Chap...

I thought we had an FBI styled body, in the Federal Police Force? They enjoy enormous powers in matters associated with narcotic (importation) interdiction, and issues of Organised Crime, and Fraud matters against the C of A. We've also had the NCA (now the AAC) as well as other bodies looking at crimes at the federal level.

As well as several Intelligence gathering bodies. The ABCI, and the various States BCI's, almost a total duplication of the various rolls. Moreover, we've several bodies that exclusively look after Terrorism, PSCC & SAC-PAV. to name just two. Both these bodies have a large Military/Fed Police co-operative body, which seems to work quite well.

What is needed, is a Federal Authority in which to draw together, all the various investigative and Intelligence bodies, into one competent Federal Authority. At the moment there's far too much duplication and petty inter-departmental jealousy, to make many of them in anyway competent; other than perhaps - PSCC & SAC-PAV, because of their military involvement.

I've attended two separate Schools with the FBI in the United States. And there's no doubt, they're one hell of a competent organisation, for sure? Here in Oz, if only they could shed their Departmental/Agency hubris, and petty resentfulness, perhaps greater trust would prevail among the 'warring' groups? I don't know, I've been retired for awhile, consequently I'm somewhat out of touch now?